In an unusual incident, pride of six lions had to run for about 1km on the railway tracks to save their lives.

Amreli – Junagadh train passes near Nabapara, Lownpara village near Dhari. Six lions were resting on the track when suddenly train came. And the run began as there was no possible exit off the track for about 1 km. train driver, when he saw the lions, reduced the speed. Finally lions left the track and accident was prevented.

Big cat fear gripped Bila village of Mahuva taluka, where two persons, including a forester, were mauled on Wednesday by a lion that strayed into a farm. This incident has created panic in the village. Farmers are now scared to venture into farms even though government provides additional power supply for irrigation at night.

According to forest department officials, the lion pounced on farmer Manu Talaviya, 45, while he was watering the crops. "As the big cat tried to sink its teeth in the victim's throat, he grabbed it by its ear and pulled it with force. This shocked the lion, which leaped into the farm full of standing crop of bajra," said forester Nilesh Jani, who was also injured in the attack.

When the lion started roaring, Talaviya and other labourers in his farm climbed trees. The matter was reported to the forest department and Jani reached the spot accompanied by two other officials.

"We decided to drive the big cat back into the forest by shouting. However, when I shouted, the lion suddenly jumped out of the farm and pounced on me. Luckily, it did not kill me but ran away after mauling me," said Jani, who has been admitted to Mahuva government hospital along with Talaviya.

Says villager Jiva Parmar, "We get power supply mostly at night. This has created a problem for us as no one dares to step out of the house now. Many of us have heard roaring of the lion." Villagers have urged the forest department to ensure that the lion is caged at the earliest.

Monday, August 24, 2009

A pride of lion has unleashed terror I Dhari taluka for the past 10 days. According to sources in the forest department, the big cats have shifted their base to outskirts of several villages in Dhari. "early this week, six lions killed a cow in its cattle yard in Nabapara village, while a pride of nine lions preyed upon two cattle in Fatehgadh village. There are reports of four to five lions visiting Ambardi village daily evening," said a sourse.

In a shocking incident, an eight-year-old boy sleeping with his family was taken away by a leopard on Friday in Babarpara village of Khamba taluka. Police said Hira Solanki lives with his wife and six children in Babarpara. While the family was fast asleep, a leopard entered their hut, caught his son Vanraj by the throat and dragged him away. After dragging him for more than a kilometre, it killed him .

19-08-2009Night Parade by three lions in Girnar Taleti areaDivya BhaskarBriefly translated from Gujarati

This is first time reported that lions have moved so near to Junagasdh city. Bhavnath Taleti (Valley of Girnar Mountain) is just one Kilometer from the busting city of Junagadh. Girnar forest, just declared as 192 sq km sanctuary area, is also adjoining Junagadh city.

Two days before when tourist were returning to the city, for many hours they show three lions near Gayatri temple and Vagheshwar temple. Last week morning walkers also confirmed having seen these lions near Jogania hill and Damodar Kund.

Range Forest Officer (Girnar Range) Shree S K Jadeja informed that about 36 lions are residing in Girnar WLS. But they are more staying in Jambudi – Patran area. Forest staff is appending people not to gather to see lions and disturbed them. Due to mating season, disturbed animals may attack also.

19-08-2009Now it is Wild Boar attack in Gir farmersGujarat SamacharBriefly translated from Gujarati

In different kind of man animal – conflict incidence, wild boar attacked Muktaben Rameshbhai Dobaria (43 years old) while she was working in her farm at Mandorana village of Talala Taluka in Gir West. When Kana China Koli farm labour working there came to her rescue, pig injured him also. Both were taken to Talala hospital for treatment.

The attack on JB Vadi, range forest officer of Adhala, has revealed that despite several poaching incidents, lions are being guarded by people who are not only taking their jobs casually but are actually indulging in illegal practices.

Officials said the government had appointed over 130 van sahayaks after the 2007 poaching incident involving eight lions. The intention was to strengthen security of lions in Gujarat.

However, Thursday's incident has revealed that van sahayaks, who are paid just Rs 2,500 per month, are vulnerable to corruption. Van sahayak BG Savalia allegedly took money and allowed people to enter without permission.

A person can enter the sanctuary without legal permission, but has to pass through in the given time frame. But, by taking bribes van sahayaks are allowing people to get into the protected sanctuary and get out from the same check post. This is the practice in the stretch towards Tulsishyam where people want to stay the night.

Another officer said this was very dangerous for lions. A poacher can easily get into the jungle by paying a bribe and disappear.

There would be no record of his entry. Earlier this week, a cub was reportedly found caught in a trap. According to an official it was the work of a local or a novice. But, beat guards and van sahayaks had not noticed this.

"What can we expect from a person who is paid just Rs 2,500 per month. This is a paltry sum as the job of a forester or beat guard is a 24-hour on," added the official.

One more wild animal attack was reported at Vavarada village of Una Taluka. Daya, 11 year old daughter of Valkubhai Rambhai was sleeping in Open foyer of her home at Vavarada. Suddenly a leopard attacked her, caught her by hand and started pulling her away. When she started shouting her Grand mother sleeping next to her, woke up and hold her by her other hand. Leopard also attacked the old lady. When others in the house woke up, leopard ran away. Girl was takes to hospital for treatment.

Asking the Centre to intervene in the long pending matter of relocation of Asiatic Lions from Gujarat to the state, Madhya Pradesh government sought release of funds to set up breeding centres for the wild cat.

"All preparations for relocation of the Asiatic Lions had been completed in 2005 only... However, these Lions have not been received from Gir Sanctuary of Gujarat," Madhya Pradesh Minister for Forest Rajendra Shukla said at the national conference of state ministers of environment and forests here.

He said, as an alternative arrangement the Centre had proposed that the project be taken forward through Asiatic Lions bred in Zoos.

"Central Zoo Authority had sanctioned over Rs 71 lakh for establishment of breeding center for Asiatic Lions in Palpur-Kuno sanctuary in 2008-09. The same has not been received till now," Shukla said.

The Minister requested immediate release of this amount and to transfer zoo bred Asiatic Lions.

He also urged the Centre to define "forest" clearly as there were difficulties being faced by the states due to the definition of forests given by the Supreme Court.

Only those areas may be considered as forests that are notified under the Indian (Forest) Act, 1927. According to the definition given by Supreme Court, all such areas that are recorded as any type of forest under any government record have been defined as forests, he said.

" 'He wants to be in there with his offspring, but we wanted to make sure the youngsters were vaccinated and had a chance to explore the enclosure before we introduced him,' said Fitzpatrick. "

London, Aug 15 - London Zoo is celebrating the birth of its first Asiatic lion cubs in a decade, and the feisty little animals are proving to be a major draw.

The cubs - a male and a female - were born Aug 8 to parents Lucifer, six, and Abi, 10, the zoo said.

Classed as 'critically endangered', fewer than 300 Asiatic lions remain in the wild - in Gir Forest, Gujarat - and just 90 live in captivity around the world.

The cubs who are yet to be named are said to be doing well under the watchful eye of their protective mother Abi, who was the last Asiatic lion to be born at the zoo.

'She's been tremendous in terms of how she's introduced them to the public but protected them. She's been a wonderful mother,' said Malcolm Fitzpatrick, curator of mammals at the Zoological Society of London.

'The Asian lion is so endangered. In the wild they are restricted to the tiny Gir forest.

'Fortunately, their numbers are growing in the forest thanks to the excellent work of the Indian wildlife authorities. But it's the breeding in zoos that provides that real safety net, that real insurance population for the future.'

Father Lucifer, so named because his registration number at the previous zoo was 666, the devil's number, has not so far been allowed to meet his cubs but been introduced to them through a mesh.

'He wants to be in there with his offspring, but we wanted to make sure the youngsters were vaccinated and had a chance to explore the enclosure before we introduced him,' said Fitzpatrick.

The two cubs are part of an intensely managed European breeding and conservation programme.

21-08-2009Poachers again in Gir?Divya BhaskarBriefly translated from Gujarati

Eight Asiatic Lions were poached in Gir in March-Apr 2007. again it seems they are active in the region.

Two days before a lion cub was trapped in the clutch – wire trap laid by unknown people at Mandor village area of Veraval Sub-district in Gir West. Due to alertness of local villagers and the forest staff the cub was immediately rescued with little injury. It was taken for treatment and will be released with its own pride in two days.

This has made everyone to doubt and worry about poachers again being active in the region.

The place where trap was laid belongs to coastal bell of Gir where about 15 lions are residing. 70% of this belt is revenue area (non-forest land) and there area more than 10 different roads going out of this area (for safe exit). Forest Dept. has started severe combing in 12 villages of this area including Savani, Dari, & Sutrapada coastal belt. Sarcastically in such a situation, Five RFO, twenty foresters, Two ACFS (Jamwala & Sasan) and on CF (Normal) posts are vacant in the area.

21-08-2009Mob attack home of forest officerDivya BhskarBriefly translated from Gujarati

A group of 70 women and men including Sarpanch (Village Head) were going through the restricted forest area in Dudhada range. Two guards and Range Forest Officer stopped them politely and explained that they should not enter the restricted forest area. While RFO was requesting them, village head got angry and started abusing the officers and his staff. Looking to the heated situation staff left the place with warning not to enter the restricted areas again.

But at 10 PM mob of 500 villagers of Dudhada headed by Sarpanch attacked the residential quarter of forest staff and also broke his jeep. Local Police was called immediately to control the mob. Now Situation is under control. Dudhada is located in Gir East.

Asking the Centre to intervene in the pending matter of relocation of Asiatic lions from Gujarat to the state, Madhya Pradesh government has sought release of funds to set up breeding centres for the wild cat. "All preparations for relocation of the Asiatic lions had been completed in 2005 ... However, these lions have not been received from Gir Sanctuary of Gujarat," MP minister for forest Rajendra Shukla said at the national conference of state ministers of environment and forests here. He said as an alternative arrangement, the Centre had proposed that the project be taken forward through Asiatic lions bred in zoos. He requested immediate release of this amount and to transfer zoo-bred Asiatic lions. When contacted, Ashok Kumar of Wildlife Trust of India said, "Gujarat is also justified in not parting with lions as it has a clean record as far as protection of the species is concerned." PTI

With Union minister of state (independent charge) for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh planning to visit Gujarat, especially Gir Sanctuary, forest department officials here are working overtime to showcase conservation of the Asiatic Lion in the state. The department is busy making a presentation to show how effective conservation measures have been in the state. Officials said Gujarat had 12 lions in 1880 and since then the lion population has grown to 359. In 1968, there were just 177 lions and 41 years later, the population has almost doubled.

Officials said the presentation would also focus on the low number of man-animal conflicts and on the fact that people take pride in the presence of lions in their vicinity. The various sanctuaries that Gujarat has declared for lion conservation will also be showcased. The issue of transfer of lions is lying with the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). Officials said the petition for transfer of lions to Madhya Pradesh in Supreme Court has been referred to NBWL after the Gujarat government forwarded the case that two big cats can't stay together. Kuno Palpur has tiger population in the area and transferring lions there could create a conflict. Since Ramesh is also chairman of NBWL, Gujarat is taking no chances and wants to present a strong case. Principal secretary SK Nanda confirmed that Ramesh wanted to visit the state and would come after September 10, after the by-elections at Kodinar. Gujarat would definitely showcase the conservation measures taken by Gujarat during the visit, he said.

Saturday, August 08, 2009

07-08-2009Leopard in the houseGujarat Samachar Briefly translated from Gujarati

An exciting and fearful drama happened at Bhadiyavadar village near Una.

Mangalbhai Karshanbhai Nandwana (Age – 40) woke up in the morning and left his room for morning formalities. When he returned he found a female leopard, about 4 years old, had entered his room through backside verandah. He tried to scare away tried to scare away the animal, but it retiriated and attacked him. He started shouting and his nephew Laljibhai came to his rescue. He too was attacked by the leopard.

Finally they shut the room with animal inside. Then Forest Dept. Staff caged the leopard with 3-4 hours of strenuous efforts.

The Central government has spent almost nothing on conservation of lions, which are already threatened by poaching in their last abode in Gir. The Centre released only Rs 1.60 crore in the last three years under the assistance for development of national parks and sanctuaries, part of which was also spent on lion conservation. The last census showed a population of 359 lions, 40 per cent of which have strayed outside the protected habitat.

However, there has been no special allocation for lions on the lines of Project Tiger. Minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh, in a reply to a written question by Panchmahal MP Prabhatsinh Chauhan, said that the Centre had not launched any project dedicated to save lions. However, under the centrally-sponsored scheme Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats the ministry provides financial and technical assistance to government of Gujarat for various activities aimed at conservation of lion and its habitat.

Officials in the forest department said after the poaching incident in March 2007, a special team was sent by the Centre to look into it and also suggest measures to curb its recurrence. But there was no project announced to protect it. The state had hoped to get special grants after poaching of lions. The Central grants were released for specific sanctuary-related projects in Gir, Mitiyala and Paniya which have a sizeable lion population. The officials said if the kind of allocation made for Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh, which is Rs 64 crore, had been given to Gujarat, the forest department could have developed a new sanctuary, which would have be isolated from Gir.

Another forest official said the task force formed by the Gujarat government has made several recommendation like use of GPS-based tracking and other modern surveillance tracking establishment of gene pool population and establishment of a genetic laboratory for cryopreservation of genetic material. However, despite such recommendations, there have been no allocation. The department will have to send the projects in phases for approval which would take time. He said there was a need for Project Lion on the lines of Project Tiger.

Tigers might roam the forests of Gujarat once again, if the Centre has its way. The state government has been asked to submit a proposal regarding the possibility ofintroduction of the big cats in the state.

Tigers were found in abundance in Gujarat from Valsad to Banaskantha till the 1950s, but they completely vanished from the state by 1997.

Observing that Gujarat was the only state in the western region not having any tigers, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, at a recent meeting, suggested that the state should explore the possibility of introducing tigers.

"The Minister has asked the state government to submit a proposal accordingly," a senior environment official said.

However, Gujarat is averse to the idea of exchanging Asiatic lions with tigers.

Desperate to hold on to its monopoly on the last Asiatic lion habitat in the world, Gujarat has been refusing to share its "pride" with Madhya Pradesh or any other state.

"But if Narendra Modi accepts the tiger introduction plan, he will have no option but to agree for an exchange," a source said.

The Gujarat government, meanwhile, said it is not averse to the Union environment minister's suggestion. "Tigers did exist till late 1980s in the forests of south and north Gujarat. We have a congenial environment to accommodate tigers in our forests. Our government will certainly consider the proposal if the Centre sends it to us formally", said state Forest Minister Mangubhai Patel.

Reacting to media reports emanating from New Delhi, Patel told Newsline at Gandhinagar on Monday evening, "I will ask officials of my department to send a detailed project report to the Centre on this. But I hope the Centre will not ask Gujarat to give Gir lions to Madhya Pradesh or any other state in exchange for tigers."

State Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Pradeep Khanna said the Union minister had, in fact, made a suggestion to introduce tigers in Gujarat at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board of Wildlife held in New Delhi a few days ago. "We are considering the proposal with an open mind. We will have to examine the various aspects such as identification of forest areas and availability of enough prey-base for tigers before sending a detailed project report to the Centre," he added.

Khanna, who handled the wildlife assignment till he was elevated to the post of PCCF two days ago, said Gujarat certainly has an environment for tiger habitat, as they had existed in the Dangs and Surpaneshwar forests till the late 80s. But the department will have to identify forest areas other than Dangs and Surpaneshwar before sending a detailed proposal to the Centre, he said.

Government of Gujarat, in July 2009, has submitted a project titled - "A Plan for Consolidating Long Term Conservation of Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) at the Greater Gir Region Including the Gir PA System" for an amount of Rs. 226.08 crore. The main activities proposed under the project are:

i. Management planning and capacity building.

ii. Wildlife research, education and nature awareness.

iii. Anti-poaching/protection activities.

iv. Strengthening of infrastructure.

v. Veterinary care.

vi. Strengthening staff welfare activities.

vii. Habitat improvement.

viii. Addressing man-animal conflict.

ix. Relocation of forest dwellers including Maldharis from Gir.

x. Eco-tourism.

xi. Over all O & M.

Such proposals are considered by the Central Government subject to the availability of funds and fulfillment of procedural requirements.

Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment and Forests (Independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh replied in a written question by Shri Birendra Prasad Baishya in Rajya Sabha today.

Only Rs 1.6 Cr Released In Last 3 Years For National Parks And Sanctuaries

The Central government has spent almost nothing on conservation of lions, which are already threatened by poaching in their last abode in Gir.

The Centre released only Rs 1.60 crore in the last three years under the assistance for development of national parks and sanctuaries, part of which was also spent on lion conservation.

The last census showed a population of 359 lions, 40 per cent of which have strayed outside the protected habitat. However, there has been no special allocation for lions on the lines of Project Tiger.

Minister of state for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh, in a reply to a written question by Panchmahal MP Prabhatsinh Chauhan, said that the Centre had not launched any project dedicated to save lions.

However, under the centrally-sponsored scheme — Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats — the ministry provides financial and technical assistance to government of Gujarat for various activities aimed at conservation of lion and its habitat. Officials in the forest department said after the poaching incident in March 2007, a special team was sent by the Centre to look into it and also suggest measures to curb its recurrence. But there was no project announced to protect it. The state had hoped to get special grants after poaching of lions. The Central grants were released for specific sanctuary-related projects in Gir, Mitiyala and Paniya which have a sizeable lion population.

he officials said if the kind of allocation made for Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh, which is Rs 64 crore, had been given to Gujarat, the forest department could have developed a new sanctuary, which would have be isolated from Gir.

Another forest official said the task force formed by the Gujarat government has made several recommendation like use of GPS-based tracking and other modern surveillance tracking establishment of gene pool population and establishment of a genetic laboratory for cryopreservation of genetic material.

However, despite such recommendations, there have been no allocation. The department will have to send the projects in phases for approval which would take time. He said there was a need for Project Lion on the lines of Project Tiger.

Even as the debate rages over shifting of lions outside Gir, the Gujarat government has decided to relocate 100 more Maldhari families living inside the Gir National Park. They will be shifted as part of a project to resettle these herdsmen outside the sanctuary.

According to the plan, prepared by state forest department, each family will receive a compensation of Rs 10 lakh and rehabilitated outside the sanctuary. These families will be shifted by December 2010. So far, 542 families have already been shifted and now nearly 360 are in the forest.

Officials from the department said the government has already made allocation in the 2009-10 budget.

The Maldharis have been living inside the Gir sanctuary for centuries and consistently refused proposals for relocation made by the past state governments since 1972. However, the government has now worked out a compensation package which may be acceptable to the Maldharis.

Officials said since 1972, the state government could persuade only a small number of Maldhari families to relocate, while the rest of the herdsmen continued to live inside the national park.

Experts say the lions are threatened by man-animal conflict, accidents and poaching. Earlier, a proposal to shift a pride of lions to Madhya Pradesh's Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary was made, but it has been rejected by the state government.

Officials said a scheme for relocation of Maldharis from Gir Sanctuary is in the interest of wildlife conservation and socio economic development of Maldharis. The scheme has been submitted to the Centre under 100 per cent centrally-sponsored scheme category. Besides, state government budget proposal states that for preparation of management plan for Gir National Park and sanctuaries, the required professional services will be obtained through outsourcing.

Asiatic Lions have made Kankrach village simtal as their habitat since many years. A lioness with three cubs of about 25 days is living in this area. One of this cub was found alone by forest department when informed by locals. Forest staff is trying hard to locate its mother, so that cub can be safely released with them.

Jinabhai Sukhabhai Ahir (Age 37) was returning home in the afternoon from his farm. On the way he saw a lionesss sitting in the vegetation fencing. Suddenly lioness attacked him on head. Brave man hit the lioness on her month and escaped. He was admitted to Khambha Government Hospital and is safe. Incidence happened at trakuda village of Khambha sub-district in Gir East.

Sunday, August 02, 2009

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has recommended to set up the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh as a second home for the Gir lions.The Institute of India conducted a feasibility study for an alternate home for the Asiatic lion during 1993 at three potential sites, viz, Darrah-Jawahar Sagar (Rajasthan), Sitamata (Rajasthan) & Kuno Palpur (Madhya Pradesh). The study had identified Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary with an area of 344.686 Sq.Kms. as the best potential site for reintroduction of lions. Accordingly, in order to improve the habitat before the re-introduction of lions, various management interventions have been taken up in the Sanctuary, that included relocation of villages from the Sanctuary, strengthening protection, habitat improvement, etc.

A large number of villages that were inside the Kuno reserve have been resettled.1543 families have received Rs 1453 lakhs so far. Government of Madhya Pradesh sent a proposal to this effect. Central Government, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme - Development of National Parks and Sanctuaries, has already sanctioned and released Rs.1545 lakh by 2007-08 for the relocation and rehabilitation of families from 24 Revenue villages in Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kuno Palpur is already a Wildlife Sanctuary. It enjoys all the protection as provided under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment and Forests (Independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh replied in a written question by Shri. Narendra Singh Tomar and Smt. Maneka Gandhi in Lok Sabha today.